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Focused Madness	By : fusedtwilight Category: Twilight Series > General Views: 3772 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Chapter List
- 22
- 23
- 24
Focused Madness
Chapter 23

Fusedtiwilight: Thanks to my beta animegirlkiki for betaing. This is it, Matthew makes his final stand against Joham, Joham tells Matthew his plane and how he first started on this path and Matthew.....will die.

Joham P.O.V
I ran out into the gardens.
I had been talking to Vladimir and Stefan about our planes when Seraphina came rushing in. “Father come quickly, it's Matthew and Morphia!”
Immediately I ran to the gardens. The children were gathered around Morphia and Matthew. They parted for me and I saw Hypnia was hovering over her daughter. She was shaking her, trying to wake her up.
“What is going on?” I demanded.
“Father I can't wake Matthew or Morphia!”
“What happened?”
“Matthew asked Morphia if she would take him to the dream world so they could play,” she said, “but after a while Morphia seemed to become agitated about something and was muttering in her sleep, say Matthew must stop and to not do it. I tried to wake her up but it's not working!”
“She is really angry, I can smell it,” Mia said. Then she let out a gasp and covered her nose. “Argh, that smell!”
“What is it?” I asked.
Mia sense of smell was beyond the capabilities of even a full vampire, it even bordered into the metaphysical. There were times when she could smell scents coming from Morphia when she walked the dreaming world.
“I have smelled it before; it was from that girl, that she-wolf.”
“Why would you be smelling her? Seraphina roasted her,” Sarah said.
“Did any of you actually see her die?” I asked.
“No, she was in the house when I set it on fire,” Seraphina said,
“Father....earlier Matthew was asking how Morphia found him in his dreams, he even asked if she could find anyone in the dreaming realm,” Rosemary said.
I realized what was going on now. “He is communicating with the she-wolf!” I roared.
“But how did she survive?” Seraphina asked.
“Doesn't matter! Wake him up now!” I roared.
“But how, I can't wake either of them up!” Hypnia said.
“Then were going to have to use some incentive. Brand.”
She stepped forward.
“Help wake Matthew up would you?”
She raised her hand and it began to glow hot with heat. She walked forward, her hand heading for his right shoulder.

Matthew's dream
Morphia was very angry right now.
I could see her anger, her sense of betrayal and hurt. I felt bad for hurting her like this but it had to be done.
The shadows were becoming more solid now. They had grown glowing eyes and were moving slowly towards us. The shadows were whispering, talking to us, telling us the horrible things they were going to do to us.
I had to give her credit, she had a good imagination. But I was not going to let her hurt Leah.
I stood in front of Leah protectively.
“Go away Morphia. I won't let you hurt Leah!”
“And I won't let you ruin everything grandfather has worked for!” she yelled.
I focused my power on her. I fill her with fear in all its black and red glory I hit her so hard with it. She threw her hands up in the air and screamed and disappeared into the shadows.
“That should keep her away,” I said.
“Matthew where are you?”
I turned to Leah. “Leah, daddy is holding me in a place called Romania. There are these guys called Vladimir and Stefan and they are working with him to kill the Volturi!”
“What? How?”
“Me, I am daddy's weapon. He is going to use me to-”
A searing hot pain hit my shoulder. It was so painful and unexpected it brought me to my knees. “Matthew!” Leah rushed to my.
I looked at my shoulder; the flesh was blistering and boiling.
I could feel myself being pulled back to the physical world, no matter how hard I tried to fight it my mind in a desperate attempt to protect my body was pulling me back.
“Find me Leah! I am in the castle of-”

I woke up and was aware of two things.
I could smell the smell of my flesh burning, Brand was in front of me, and her hand glowed with heat. Second, I was surrounded by my family, and they were not happy.
“Matthew what have you done!” daddy demanded more angry then I have ever seen him.
“He used me!” Morphia was hugging her mother and looking me with a look of extreme hate. “He used me to call that wolf girl!”
There were snarls and growls. Anger, hurt, betrayal, shock, were mixing in the aura's of my kin. They were not happy with me right now. Their blood lust was growing as well. They were purer vampires then me so the vampire instincts were stronger in them. There were times during training when they seriously hurt one another, and that was by accident.
I got up, wincing as the pain in my shoulder flared to life. “I did what I had to do daddy, what you are doing is wrong!” I looked at my sisters, at my nephews and nieces. “Listen to me, this is not right, what daddy has planned is evil! We are not gods. Far from it, if anything we are devils. Are actions are corrupted by greed, hubris and ambition. We may kill humans to sustain ourselves, but this is genocide! We need not kill a whole city of innocent humans to kill a coven, no matter who they are, please, I beg you, rethink your actions, be better than this!”
I could see my words had little to no impact on them.
“It is useless Matthew, they know their place, they know what path they must follow and they have the resolve to see it through. I wish I could say the same for you,” daddy said.
Disappointment radiated off him.
Instead of feeling sad he was disappointed at me I felt anger at him.
“What path? What place? All they know is the world you have built for them. They know nothing of the outside world. It is your dreams and ambitions that fills them daddy, they’d not know how beautiful the world is being, or of all the lights that fill the people in it. You tell them no truth but your truth, which is nothing then a bunch of lies you use to manipulate us for your own ends!”
Gregory, Rosemary's child let out a roar of anger and grabbed me and slammed me into the tree. The bark broke and splintered and my shoulder erupted with pain.
“How dare you!” he growled his teeth bared.
I growled back and gripped his arms. He was stronger than me though, he was stronger vampire genes saw to that.
“He loves us, he protects us, he gave you life and you make such horrible lies!”
“They are not lies!”
“Then prove it, how can you say he manipulates you or us when you have no proof?”
My hands shook. I had an idea how to prove it. But I fear the truth. I had a theory of why I had so many fractured memories. If I was right then my whole life was a lie and the father I thought I knew never existed.
I looked over to Rosemary. She looked really tense right now. Another reason a part of me hoped I was wrong....because then even my family was a lie.
I focused my power onto the part of Gregory that was special. That part of him he gained from his mother. The special ability that refreshed all memories. With him touching me it was easy for me to activate it. Before I knew it all my memories returned to me.
And I despaired.

Leah P.O.V
“Matthew!” I screamed.
I looked around wildly, looking for Matthew. All I found were the Cullen's, Fred, Nahuel, and Jake.
“Leah what happened?” Carlisle asked.
“It was Matthew, he found me, and he used Morphia's power to find me.”
The room was filled with an invisible energy I could only describe as excitement.
Nahuel and Fred looked happier then I had seen them. I didn't want to mention what happened, how a burning mark appeared on his shoulder.
“Where is he? Does the Volturi have him?” Fred asked.
“No, it's the Romanians.”
“What?” everyone said.
“Matthew said it was those same guys who came here when the Volturi showed up. They’re the ones breeding those super hybrids. Matthew said he was in Romania in a castle.”
“What castle?” Carlisle asked.
“I don't know, before he could tell me something happened, it was like-I winced- someone was burning his shoulder, I think they figured out what he was doing.”
“What else did he tell you?” Nahuel asked.
“Carlisle, its Joham. He's the one who torch's Volterra. Matthew said he is going to use him to do it.”
“But Matthew's power isn't destructive like that,” Jasper said.
“No...But Seraphina's is. Remember what she did to me and my house? My god, if Matthew increased her power by twelve it would be like a hydrogen bomb going off,” I said.
“So what do we do?” Esme asked. “We have to find Matthew, we can't let Joham do this.”
“Carlisle...it might be wise to include them in on this,” Edward said.
Carlisle looked at him and they had a look. Like they were having a private conversation, which of course they probably were.
“Care to share?” Nahuel asked annoyed by the one sided conversation.
“Do to the circumstances...I think I think that-”
“Carlisle you can't be serious!” Alice said.
“It is the only way Alice,” he said gently.
I looked at Alice, knowing Carlisle's decision must be pretty bad for her to question it.
“Do to the dire situation, I believe we need to inform the Volturi of the situation.”
The room was deadly silent.
“Shut the fuck up,” I said.

Matthew P.O.V
You ever wonder what it would be like to remember....well....everything?
Every thought, every image, every idea, everything, even the dreams?
Well it is very unpleasant.
Or maybe that is how I see it because I remembered how my mommy died, but I remember now that because her death upset me so much daddy soon had Rosemary modify my memories so I wasn't as attached to her.
I remembered when I first killed a human, I had been so upset because I had sensed their fear, their pain, and their death. Daddy had Rosemary change my memory so that I enjoyed the kill.
When I first questioned daddy about his mission in life he had Rosemary wipe the memories that made me think of different things.
Every time I ever questioned him, every time I did something to make him fear I was going to rebel or was becoming too human for his tastes he would have Rosemary use her power to fill my head with his lies.
I was too valuable to him to lose, so he made me his slave.
My whole life was a lie.
A lie fabricated to control me, to manipulate me. My sisters knew what daddy was doing. They loved me, this I know. But they believed in daddy so they did not question his wisdom.
I screamed in rage and used my power on Gregory. Like Fred-Fred I used repulsion on Gregory and he jumped away, clutching his head as if he saw something that greatly offended his sight.
I clutched my head and roared in pain. When I remembered everything I remembered the pain of the fire and I remembered what it was like that fateful night when I was shattered.

Matthew's memory
Where am I?
What am I?
Who am I?
Me is opening eyes now. Me is seeing the light coming from above. Pretty white orb in sky is really pretty, but it hurts my eyes if I look at it too much so I am looking away.
Head is hurting now lots. Lots and lots of pain. Body is feeling very weaks.
Me hold head and sit ups. Me try and think of something.....anythings.....who I ams?.........umm...........
Matthew.
I am being Matthew.
Yes, me is not knowing why but Matthew is sounding right.
Yayyy, me is being Matthew!
Matthew is a boy, Matthew is having long black hair and brown skin and.....................his head still hurts bad.
Me stand up and me is feeling thirsty. Me smell something wet and me is thinking water might help.
Me is following trail that leads me to a very big puddle of water. Me lean down and start sipping from the water. Then me is hearing a small heart beat, very close.
A light is appearing under water. Me think it is me. Me is having eyes browner then skin, hair is long and messy, there is some leaves on it. Me feel face, admiring meself and looking at self in wonder. This is Matthew, this thing in water?
Me is thinking something odd. Light in water is looking different then how me is looking. For one thing it is really, really long. And there is something about the light that......in me head is being tasting like.....hunger.....patience......savage calm.......anticipation.
Me lean closer into water to get better look of odd light. When me close enough color change and me have half second to think......danger!
Then before me is knowing something comes shooting out of water. Something long and hard is wrapping around me. Me roar in anger and fear as cold, slimy, scaly thing is wrapping body around me again and again. It is squeezing me now, me feel murderous intent from it, me see it, and it is wanting to kill me now.
Me scared, me not want to die, me scared, me scared and angry and still so, so thirsty.
Me roars in rage and defiance of this mean cold blood thing and me stretch muscles and the thing makes this screeching hiss like sound. There is a sound of flesh tearing and blood smell is strong in air.
The thing is in pieces now. It's blood is everywhere and it's heart is slowly not beating. It's body parts are twitching still. The thirst in throat is so strong now, me is being so thirsty. Me is so drawn to blood even though it not smell good.
Me lean down and grab large fleshy bit and bite into it. Blood pouring down throat is feeling wonderful, not the best but it makes burning go away a bit.
After me drink enough so me is not being thirsty me is wondering.
Me thinking, trying to remember but there is fire in head that hurts me so bad me not try anymore to remember it.
Me try hunting other animals. Me find furry things that are walking on all legs taste much better then cold thing is.
Me be walking in woods trying to think still, trying to understand. Then me come across scent much more better than before. Me follow scent and me is smelling smoke and something cooking, roasting meat. It smell real nice.
Me hear two heart beats and strange sounds. Me silently creep behind bushes and see a fire and something dead being roasted over it. There are two creatures like me only one is taller and more.......muscle-y?
The other is a foot smaller than him and more.......thin-y?
They both have strange markings on face, red and yellow. They wear these things that barely cover their privates and thin brown straps that keep little extra pieces of cloth around their arms.
They were making these odd sounds.....speaking! They are speaking! Me is knowing what they are saying. They is saying how much fun they had hunting the dead thing they are getting ready to eat. The taller male is saying how proud he is of the smaller.
I stare in wonder. Their lights are...beautiful. More sharp and bright then the things I have eaten so far.
Me want to learns more, maybe they is knowing something about me that make sense for me.
Me walk out of bushes. When bushes rustle they immediately grab these stick things with sharp point things on them. Me amazed by how quick they respond. Me see they are cautious and ready for a fight. Me is thinking they warriors.
The taller one is asking me who I am. They get good look and they being amazed, they glow with appreciation for how I am looking. But the older one is extra cautious now.
He asks again who I am being. Me ignore him and go to the fire. Me hungry, not thirsty, stomach likes smells coming from meat. Me grab piece of meat, fire tickles me but does not hurt me. The boy tells me to stop but stops when he sees I am not being hurt by fire. Me take bite of meat and find it good.
Me smile at them and frown. They is being scared now.
Me walk forward, holding meat in offering. But then bigger male tells smaller one to run and he throws stick at me. It bounces off and I am being mad now that he attacks me.
Me snarl and drop meat and pounce on the man. He is being afraid, a little for himself but more for smaller one. Me is not knowing why he fear more for someone else. What so special about small one?
The smell coming from big one is intoxicating. I can hear the blood pumping from his heart, it is beating so fast. The idea of drinking his blood makes my mouth burn!
I lean down to bite into his neck but something shoves me off him. I get up and see the smaller one standing above the larger. The fear is small now, it is replaced by a color that is part red, part gold. A really beautiful color mixed with soft pink.
Courage and love my mind tells me.
Me is not knowing why they are connected so.
The small one is yelling at me, he is brandishing his stick and a small metal blade thing at me. The large one was afraid now. He yelled at the smaller one to run, that I was the child of a libishomen and I would kill him.
The young one ignored him, he yelled at me to go away, he said he would not let me hurt his father.
Me understand then why they so close. They is being father and son. They look alike and smell alike and even taste alike in my head.
Seeing the son protecting his father sent a wave of longing through my body. Where was my daddy? Why wasn't he with me?
Me stood up straight and decided to leave. Me turned my back and left them alone. Me is sense their surprise and the boy's sense of pride and triumph that he drove me away. It made me want to go back and scare them some more but I kept on walking away.
Me is hearing the youth's shout of triumph and hear the father chastising his son for not running, telling him he could have died. But he told him he was also proud of him for being brave and when they got back to the village he would tell the elders of his bravery and they would sing sons of how he fought the demon child.
Me feel hurt when me is being called demon child. Me not know exactly what a demon or a libishoman is but daddy would know I bet.
Me decide then to seek daddy out. Daddy would have the answers, daddy would explain everything, daddy would love Matthew and protect him and we would hunt animals and people together and have fun like the son and father eating the meat.
Daddy would make everything better.

I choke out a laugh.
Daddy would make everything better?
God what a fool I had been.
I remember everything now. The truth and the lies. I was all the Matthew's that ever existed, for I had every memory, the true ones and the false ones.
I was both new and old. Old for all the knowledge of the past was mine, and new because all the information made me into a whole new being.
I realized now why I was so drawn to Leah. I once thought it was because I was drawn to her loneliness. But it was not just that, I realize that now. Fate can be so cruel. To make her in her image and then to take me from her.
I glared at Joham. He is no longer my father, I have no father. He may have created me but he is not worthy of being my father.
“You bastard!” I growled, “I know the truth now! You used me!”
“Do not speak to me like that boy, I am your father,” he growled.
“You are not my father, I have a father and his name is Fred!” I glared at my sisters. “You all knew what he was doing to me, you knew and you never did anything to stop him!”
Rosemary looked uneasy, I could see guilt and shame in her aura. Mia and Sarah refused to look at me, but Seraphina as usual was cold and indifferent to what was going on.
“Well you can all stay here if you want. I am done.” I turned and pushed my way through some of the hybrids, heading for the doors that led out of the garden.
“Where are you going Matthew?” Joham called.
“Home, my real home, with a family that actually cares about me,” I said.
“You can't walk away from us Matthew, we are your family.”
I turned to face them all. As much as it would pain me to depart from the young ones who have done nothing to me, I could not be near Joham, or my sisters. The people who had lied to me and manipulated me for all those years.
“You wouldn't know what a family was if it kicked you in the face. A family is about love, respect, compassion, and understanding. You have warped the idea of a family to serve your own twisted goals and I won't be a part of it. I renounce all ties to you and this coven, don't seek me out, don't contact me in any way, I am done with all of you.”
I turned my back and continued to walk away. Away from them, away from this madness, away from the lies. But I had made a serious error.
I thought they would let me go.
A wall of fire erupted in front of me, keeping me from the door. I spun around and growled. Seraphina had her hand held out, using her power to block me from leaving.
A wave of sleep began to wash over me but I predicted this, I lashed out at Hypnia with sleep and she fell to the ground. Brand rushed me while I was focused on Hypnia. Her hands glowed a bright red. I could tell it was not as hot as it had been when she woke me up but it would still immobilize me. The pain in my shoulder was a dull ache now, once I get blood in me it will instantly heal otherwise I will have to wait a whole day for there not to be a mark.
I dodged her blows and brought my fist into her stomach, she grunted and fell to the floor.
Four more came at me and I hit them with a wave of confusion and drunken haze that made them sloppy and drunk like.
Who'd have thought even in drunken haze hybrids can be graceful drunks.
I went to run but something white hot grabbed my foot, I howled in pain and saw Brand had grabbed my foot, her hand deep red. A look of triumph on her face and in her aura.
Before I could retaliate someone grabbed my front and jerked me forward. I looked into the eyes of Peter, Rosemary's son and I knew I was lost.
The world disappeared.
Joham, my sisters, the hybrids, the castle, everything. Instead I was in a very fancy room. The walls were white, covered with all kinds of fancy paintings. I remember a few. There was the Mona Lisa, the last supper, a woman wearing a green dress and carrying a snake skin purse I knew to be Lamia.
There was a crystal chandelier on the room, there was one of those giant harps in the corner and a small mahogany table with fancy silverware.
Had I not been so terrified at what had happened I would give credit to Peter for his attention to detail. He had the power to trap you in a mental cage. A cage where he was the warden/God and you were at the mercy of his imagination.
“No!” No!” I yelled.
I ran to the wall and began to pound as hard as I could. There was not even a crack. I tried to project my power. I tried everything and I held nothing back. But nothing happened.
I fell to my knees and cried. I cursed Peter, I cursed Joham, and I cursed life in general. I cursed myself a fool for not fighting harder, I cursed myself for thinking they would let me leave.
Before I had the option of leaving, now Joham had made a prison for me I could not escape, not unless he let me.
“Leah, save me!” I called.

Joham P.O.V
Matthew laid on the ground not moving. I walked over to him and used my foot to nudge him on his back. He looked like he was sleeping. But I knew better.
“Well done Peter, Brand,” I said, “you all did well.”
“What now Joham?” Vladimir asked.
“The she-wolf knows and your son has rebelled, what now?” Stefan asked.
“Now.....we continue. Nothing has changed.”
“But the Cullen's may go to the Volturi,” Vladimir said.
“I know, but whether they come to us or we go to them the outcome will be the same.”
“But how Matthew won't help.”
“He will, he won't have any choice. Rosemary.”
She stepped forward. “Yes father?”
“The time has come for the final cleansing.”
“Father?” she asked looking uneasy.
“It must be done, he must never question me again.”
She nodded her head. “Yes father.”
“Take him to my study,” I said to some of the hybrids.
The picked Matthew up and carried him to the hospital.
You brought this on yourself Matthew I thought to myself.

Leah P.O.V
“Are you out of your fucking mind?!” I yelled at Carlisle. “The Volturi? You want to bring those nut jobs in on this after they tried to kill us all?”
“Leah calm down,” Jacob said firmly.
“Calm down? Fuck that we can't get them involved, they'll kill us and take Matthew for themselves!”
“Leah, I know that it sounds insane, but the Volturi may be corrupt but they are the foundation of our world. Without them we would have been exposed years ago. If they are destroyed word will quickly spread and all the nomads in the world will run rabid, no longer fearing the wrath or retribution of Aro and his coven,” Carlisle said.
“He is right,” Alice said, “I am looking into the possible futures where the Volturi are wiped out and the nomads will go into frenzy. Human corpses will rise and our race will have an extreme baby boom once they start fighting for territory.”
I rubbed my face with my hand. I did not want to bring those freaks in on this. But Carlisle had a point. As much as I would love to see the fuckers burn the only thing keeping the world from erupting into chaos. With the Volturi gone how long before some dumb vamp went and exposed his whole race?
God what would humans do when they found out vampires were real and they weren't as dark and seductive as common media portrayed them and the usual holy water, sun light and wooden stakes did jack against them.
There would be riots, there would be all kinds of fighting, who knows what the governments would do. It would be true chaos. And once the world starts to over flow with vampires what would that do to us?
We already had a record number of wolves. What would happen when the number of vampires began to rapidly increase?
All those vampires fighting would make what happened in Seattle look like a nice happy day in candy land.
But how can we trust the Volturi, they already proved how greedy and corrupt they are and they have a grudge against us for the little humiliation we gave them three years ago.
Aro loved collecting vampires who were unique and very talented. What would he do when he found out there was a hybrid with a power that could make him and his coven so much stronger?
But what choice did we have?
“Alright, let’s do it then,” I said.
Fred held my hand, giving me some small comfort. I saw Nahuel smirk out of the corner of my eye. I looked at him and he gave me a look that said I am happy for you.
I was glad Nahuel wasn't one of those kinds of guys who think just because they slept with a girl they have some kind of claim on her. I am glad he wasn't hurt or jealous of me and Fred. How many guys will do that for a girl?
Carlisle pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number. He put it on speaker so we could all hear it. A voice answered in Italian, I did not know what they were saying.
Carlisle spoke in Italian and there was an exchange of words. Finally the man on the other line spoke and some opera music started playing.
“Did they just put us on hold?” Emmett asked.
“I had to convince the man I knew all about the Volturi.”
“They get a new secretary?” Bella asked.
“They always are,” Edward said.
We waited for what seemed like an hour. What the hell could these assholes be doing that was taking this long......maybe they are eating. Hope the poor bastard didn't go to get them when they were in the middle of a snack.
Finally a disturbingly familiar cheerful voice came on the phone.
“Carlisle! My old friend, to what do I owe this call?”
God he was obnoxiously cheerful. Seth had more dignity then this prick.
“Hello Aro, sorry for disturbing you but something has come up. You and your coven are in grave danger now,” Carlisle said.
Aro was quiet for two moments. “Whatever do you mean Carlisle?”
“Aro. Do you recall Joham?”
“Yes, the one who was under the delusion he was making a super-race, what of him?”
“Aro...he is alive.”
Aro laughed. “Carlisle, he is dead, my guard killed him and his spawn.”
“I can guarantee you he is alive Aro and he is coming for you and the others. Alice has seen this.”
Aro was quit again. “When? How?” he asked more serious.
“We are not sure, in a matter of weeks. He has joined forces with the Romanians and they are breeding with his daughters to make a purer breed of hybrids.”
“And how did you learn all this? I know Alice only receives visions when it deals with her own future or she seeks someone else’s future.”
“Because we were forewarned by Joham's son.”
“You mean that Nahuel boy?”
“No, Joham has been very busy. He has another son called Matthew. He is really.....talented.”
“Talented?” Aro asked. I did not like the tone of curiosity in his voice.
“Like Renessme he is gifted. A very powerful talent.”
“Oh what can he do?”
Carlisle looked at me. I sighed and nodded.
“Eleazar calls him a psychic-lens. He can focus and manipulate mental energy. He can see the auras of beings, he cans see the color of their emotions, sense and manipulate them to. He is also capable of magnifying the powers of other vampires.”
“Magnifying?” he asked sounding really interested.
“Yes, according to Eleazar he can make a gift stronger by twelve times its normal ability.”
Aro took in a deep breath. I had this image of him on the other side of the phone, his eyes wide and full of the infinite possibilities this would mean for him and his ambition.
“I would love to meet this boy.”
“Well sadly Joham has him now.”
“What do you mean now?”
“Well we met him three years ago. He survived the raid your guard visited upon him and his family. In fact, tell me, did Jane have any incidents while she was down in South America?”
“Jane had a....encounter with a hybrid.”
“Matthew is the one who she had an encounter with. When we found him he was feral and had no memory of his past. When Jane attacked him and his sister Matthew's power accidentally activated, making Jane's power so strong it shattered his mind. But he escaped because his power made Jane fear him and she ran off.”
“Yes, it took the guard a whole day to find her. She was really terrified.”
I smirked. The thought of that bitch getting a fraction of the fear she had been using with her power brought me great pleasure. I saw Bella grinning to and I knew I wasn't the only one who took pleasure out of the idea.
“And now he has returned to his father, I take it he regained his memory?”
“No. Joham found Matthew and took him from....his home.”
“What aren't you telling me Carlisle? I know you are holding back on something.”
I took a deep breath and spoke. “Matthew was stolen from me,” I said.
“And this is?” Aro asked.
“Leah Clearwater. I am one of the guardians of La Push.”
“Ah yes, you were the silver furred one.”
“Yes, I was taking care of Matthew, we were living in Canada when his sisters came for him. I was unable to protect them and they abducted him. One of Joham's daughters, Seraphina can control fire. Joham is going to use her with Matthew's power focusing her's to burn all of Volterra down.”
“The city?!”
“Yes, Joham is going to burn the city to get to you Aro. We have no way of finding them, all we know is they are somewhere in Romania and Joham has his daughters and the offspring they have made with Stefan and Vladimir. Aro, I know there is some bad blood between us now. But if Joham wipes you out then the peace and order you have made for our world will be shattered. Joham will be more concerned with making his super race then keeping us a secret from humanity,” Carlisle said.
“This is most serious.”
“Yes it is. Aro, we would like to help you fight Joham.”
“You wish to help us?” Aro said sounding confused.
“We do not agree with Joham's view on humanity. Plus we adopted Matthew, he is a member of our family and we will not allow him to be harmed. In return for helping you we would like you to help us reclaim him.”
“Why should I accept the offer Carlisle? Now that I know of the danger my guard is more than capable of dealing with it.”
I felt that familiar streak of anger run through me. The one I get when I am dealing with idiots, assholes, or dicks. And Aro was all three.
“Because, Joham has a bunch of hybrids that have power that rival your covens, think of it, Matthew alone could wipe the floor with all you. All he would have to do is make you feel compelled to obey Joham or make you suicidal, hell he could make you all go into a homicidal rage and kill one another, and with Seraphina she could roast you all before you can even raise a hand against them. You need us because we have the information you need, what they can do and you can use it to counterattack them,” I said.
Jasper nodded his head in approval of my plane.
“You have a point there Miss. Clearwater,” Aro said. “I will talk to Marcus and Caius. When should we expect you?”
“In a few days, first we need to make arrangements,” Carlisle said.
“Very well, contact me again when you are coming old friend, I will see you soon.” Aro sounded so delighted when he said that. I had to wonder if he was always so cheerful.
The phone went dead as Aro hanged up.
“Well that went better than I expected,” Carlisle said.
“We so cannot trust that guy,” I said.
“We have no choice we need to work with the Volturi if we are going to rescue Matthew,” Fred said.
His face was a little tight when he spoke. The Volturi killed his coven, and Bree. I can only imagine what it must be like for him to have to work with her killers.
“So who is all going to go?” I asked. “Count me in.”
“And me,” Nahuel said. “I will fight with you to save Matthew.”
His aunt stepped forward. “If Nahuel goes then I go.”
“I am going,” Fred said.
“No you can't!” I said.
Fred looked hurt. “Why not?”
“Fred, they killed your old coven, they could try and kill you as well.”
“But I am a super vampire remember? Aro won't want me dead, besides, with my gift it would be easy for us to sneak up on Joham and take Matthew back,” he said.
“Aro might try and use your past as a way to get you to join though.”
“Aro and his coven can't make me do anything Leah, I can make them sick by the very thought of me and they can never find me.”
He tightened his hold on my hand.
“Relax, everything will be fine.”
“Well I am going,” Emmett said. “If there is going to be a fight, I am there.”
“Me to,” Rose said.
“Me and Jasper are going,” Alice said.
“Me to,” Edward said.
“And me,” Bella said.
“Bell-”
Bella raised a hand. “I do not want to hear it Edward. My power is the only thing that can protect us from Matthew's gift.”
“But who will watch over Nessie?” Edward asked.
“I want to go,” Nessie said.
“No!” Edward, Bella and Jake said at the exact same time.
“But Matthew is my friend, I want to help,” she said. She had the same look on her face Bella would get when she wanted to help but was being prevented from doing so.
“Renessme you are too young, and it is too dangerous,” Edward said.
“But how am I supposed to stay behind knowing you are all going to fight?”
“You must remain here Nessie, you will be safe,” Edward said.
“I need to inform Sam of the situation,” Jake said.
“I'll go with you,” I said.
Fred saw me out, I could still hear Bella and Edward arguing with Nessie.
“Just like her mom,” I muttered.
Fred kissed me on the cheek. “Don't worry Leah, we are getting our boy back.”
I smiled and ran my hand over his cheek.
Me and Jake sprinted to the woods. Once we were far enough in we phased. We headed for La Push. I had not phased in a few days. It felt good to be back in fur.
“So you and Fred huh?” Jake asked.
I was able to communicate with Jake but none of the others. It was the same kind of link Jake and Sam had. We could communicate but there was no awkward seeing into one another private memories. Instead of working to hide our minds from one another we had to work to open them to one another.
“Do we have to talk about this Jake?” I asked.
“Well since we have time.”
I sighed. “Look it's........complicated.”
“I figured that. I know you’re not my beta anymore Leah but I am still worried about you. I know I can't talk, but it's a bit risky being with him. I mean what if you kiss him to hard and his teeth nick your lips? They are venomous to us you know.”
“I know. I have already gone through all the cons and pros of this. To be sure I don't know if I am going through a crush or something serious Jake. I want to say it is something serious or growing to be something serious but then I think about all the complications like the immortality thing. I want to grow old Jake and Fred can't chose to age like us. But I really like him, there is a connection between us.....fuck why couldn't we have met when he was human. This would be so much easier then.”
“I know how you feel.”
“You do?”
“Sure, I have thought about Nessie and her immortality. I don't want to be immortal either. But the idea of making her watch me die hurts and being separated from her hurts.”
“Why couldn't we have found some nice normal people to fall for?” I asked.
“I know. If it makes you feel any better I am glad you are moving on. After Sam I never thought you would get over that.”
“I wouldn't say I am over it. It just doesn't bother me as it once did.”
“Still it's an improvement. Does he make you happy?”
“Yes. I like being around him, it's fun. He's smart, handsome, hard working, patient, calm and collected, always there to keep me together. He's really good for me Jake. If it wasn't for the vampire/She-wolf thing I would say we were perfect.”
“Well after we get Matthew back you will have plenty of time to figure things out.”
Once we were deep enough in La Push Jake howled. Summoning Sam. A few moments later I heard Sam.
“Jake? Leah? What is going on?”
“Gather some of your pack, we need to have a meeting. It's important.”
We phased back into human and waited. Quill, Seth, and Embry showed up a few moments later.
Embry stood on Jake's right, which was the official beta spot. I took my side on Jake's left. Seth stood next to me and Quil stood next to Embry. It felt odd to not be on Jake's right. But I gave up that spot when I left.
Embry was the best choice. Seth was still young and had enough on his plate to worry about being a beta. Quil was busy with Claire and was too much of a goof ball to know when to take things seriously. Embry was perfect. He was quit, but at the same time assimilated himself into a group real easily, even if he didn't speak. He was more of a listener, taking in the world around him and adjusting to it. He never lost his cool. He was a good choice for a beta.
Soon Sam showed up with Paul, Jared, Collin and Brady. They hadn't changed much in the last two years but they were older now. I could see it in their eyes. After the split and the adding of the newer younger wolves they had to pick up more responsibility.
“Where’s the rest of your pack?” Jake asked.
“Home, they have school tomorrow,” Sam said.
I was pleased to hear that. Back in my day being a wolf made it extra hard to finish school. You were extra cranky and tired from patrolling. Plus with us having become wolves it made graduating seem pointless. What’s the point of finishing school when you had to stay in La Push?
But that was then, now that we had so many wolves it was easy as pie to make schedules that didn't affect our human lives much. I was glad the younger wolves would be able to have a better school life then we did.
“Good news, we have been contacted by Matthew,” Jake said with a smile.
“That's great!” Seth said patting me on the back, looking happy.
“Great, let’s go grab him,” Quil said.
Embry said nothing but he did have a happy smile. As usual he was waiting for Jake to finish before he celebrated.
“Great, freak boy is coming back,” Paul said.
“Paul, I am in no mood for sarcasm right now, I swear to the great spirit if you make one more comment about Matthew in a negative I will break your limbs so bad you won't be able to phase for a month,” I growled.
For once Paul backed down. I was amazed. He looked a little hurt and confused about something. Sam looked at him like he didn't understand it. Embry was looking between me and Paul like he was seeing something I was missing.
“Judging from Leah's reaction I gather something is wrong?” Sam asked.
“Yes, see Matthew is all the way in Romania, Joham has joined forces with those creepy Romanian Dracula knock off's who are breeding an army of super hybrids with Joham's daughters and Alice had a vision that Joham is going to destroy all of Volterra to kill the Volturi and when they die all the vampires are going to party like it's Halloween and the world is going to go down the shifter. But other than that everything is fine,” I said.
Everyone except Jake looked at me like I grew a new head.
“What!?” they all shouted. Soon I was bombarded by questions.
“Carlisle has contacted the Volturi and informed them of the situation,” Jake said.
“Why?” Sam asked, “They tried to kill us all.”
“Yes, but they are the only things keeping the vampires in check. Think of it Sam. Imagine a world where all the vampires didn't fear any consequences for their actions. You remember what it was like in Seattle, imagine that on a global scale. How long before the truth of vampires was revealed? How long before it is spilled over onto La Push?”
I could see the realization his Sam. He was no fool, none of them were. I could see it all in their faces. The shock, the horror. Seattle had just been a fraction of what could happen if what Jake said was true.
“So what are we going to do?” Sam asked.
I spoke next. “The Cullen's, with the exception for Nessie is going to Volterra. We're going to help them fight Joham.”
“Leah, you said we, surely you don't mean-”
“I mean I am going with them Sam,” I said.
“Leah no! They will kill you! That Caius guy hates werewolves remember?” Jared said.
“I have information they need. Matthew told me all about his family, they need me alive. Besides, we're not werewolves, we're shape-shifters remember?”
“Jake don't let her do this!” Sam said to Jake.
“Leah is no longer a member of my pack Sam, as much as I worry for her she has proven herself capable of facing the most severe circumstances.” Jake smiled then. “Besides, I am going to.”
“What?!” me and Sam said at the same time.
“Jake you can't you’re the last descendant of Ephraim, you are the destined chief of La Push!” Sam said.
“As much as I hate myself for saying this, he's right Jake. You’re supposed to lead the tribe when Billy dies, you need to stay here and take care of the tribe,” I said.
“Leah, the Cullen's are our allies. And they are my family now. Bella is still my best friend, I won't let her and the others do this alone. Besides, La Push doesn't need me, it is already well protected. And if I die then I am sure something can be arranged with....Paul and Rebecca.” his jaw tightened and he grit his teeth.
Paul got this look on his face that was half a smirk, half nervous.
“What is going on?” I asked.
“Didn't you hear, Paul knocked Rachel up,” Quil said.
“Watch it!” Jake snarled at him.
“You're going to be a daddy?” I asked Paul amazed.
I figured it was going to happen sooner or later, what with the imprint in all. But Rachel had always talked about being financially secure and married before she started having kids. What happened?
“Yeah, we were surprised too. Guess condoms aren't designed for wolf dicks,” Paul said.
Jake bit back a growl.
“Well, I hope everything works out Paul,” I said.
“Yeah I am sure you do, seeing how I am leeching off the blacks,” he said bitterly.
I remembered the fight we had. The day when mom had that surprise welcome home party for me and me and Paul got into it. I had asked him if he was still leeching off the Blacks. Before I had felt good picking at him because at the time he was being a dick. Now I realized my jab may have been too much. Did he know even then he was going to be a daddy?
It was going to be tough for Paul and Rachel. But especially Paul. He didn't have a job. The only ones that did were Quil and Sam. Times were tough now in the country and La Push wasn't rolling with jobs. Neither was Forks, Seattle was the best bet but the amount of time it would take for him to drive and seeing how gas prices were up.
Shit. Paul was about to have it rough, plus he was a real prideful kind of guy. I can only imagine how tough it was going to be for him to not give his imprint and kid the kind of life he wanted to give them. Paul had a tough family situation. Dad was a drunk and not the funny kind. Not to mention he was lazy, he must feel like he is a chip off the old block or something.
“I am sorry Paul, if I had known I wouldn't have said anything. I know how tough it can be raising a kid. But I think you will be a good dad,” I said honestly.
“Thanks Leah,” he said with a smile that let me know he really did believe in my sincerity.
“Well if Jake is going I am going too,” Embry said.
“Not you too, who is going to look after the pack?” I asked.
“Two wolves don't make a pack Leah,” Quil said. “Besides, if my best friends are going then so am I.”
“What about Claire?”
His face fell a little. “Claire will be safe here and I will miss her but last time I wasn't able to help Jake because of my imprint with Claire. But I have grown up, I have learned to be away from her longer. Besides if the Volturi die and the leech's go crazy the world won't be safe for her.”
I was growing frustrated with these idiots.
“Embry what about your mom? No way she will let you go to Italy,” I said.
“What my mom doesn't know won't hurt her. Besides, Jake is my friend and my alpha, I won't leave him.”
“Well, when are we going?” Seth asked.
“Seth no!” I said.
“Leah don't even try,” he said.
“To hell with that you are staying here!”
“You can't tell me what to do Leah, you’re not my beta anymore,” he said defiantly.
“No but I am your sister and I can boss you around as much as I want!” I yelled.
We were facing one another now. Yelling at one another like we did when we were kids.
“I am a grown man Leah, I have faced my share of danger.”
“Seth, what about mom? What would she do if something happened to the both of us?”
“I am a grown man Leah, mom knows it and it is time you recognized that.”
If I was in wolf form the fur on my hackles would be raised. As much as I loved him I wanted to smack the shit out of him right now. Instead I turned to Jake who already had his hands held up.
“Seth is right Leah, he can make his own choices.”
I screamed in anger. “God damn it! This has nothing to do with you guys!”
Seth grabbed my arm and whirled me around. His face was angrier and harder then I had ever seen it. He reminded me so much of dad when he was getting stern with us when we were being bad or needed a good chastising.
“Damn it Leah don't you get it! This isn't just about you, it's about Matthew. He is our family to you know.”
I blinked in surprise. “What?”
“Leah, you have practically adopted him, you were going to give him the last name of Clearwater. That makes him a member of our family too. That makes him my nephew and puts him under our packs protection.”
“Seth....”
“He's right Leah,” Jake said.
“Yeah, he may be a crazy little freak, but we have seen the change he has brought in you. He's made you into a stronger better woman, how can we not want to protect him for that?” Quil said.
“You guys.”
I was feeling so touched right now. I had thought they were going to look after me, now here I find out they were going for Matthew to. The thought they considered him family meant so much to me. Fuck I will not cry right now.
“Yeah, he has changed you Leah....though I wonder,” Embry said.
“What?” I asked him.
“Leah....give me an order.”
“What?”
“Give me an order. Any order,” he said.
“But I am not your beta anymore.”
“Just humor me,” he said.
“Fine....um....jump up and down,” I said.
“Mean it Leah, please,” he requested.
“Okay, I want you to jump up and down!” I said more firmly and put more will into it.
Embry's fists clenched and he looked like he was having a hard time deciding something. “I can't believe it,” Jake said.
“What?” I asked.
“It can't be,” Sam said.
“What?” I asked again.
“So that's why I felt compelled to obey her,” Paul said.
I was getting pissed. Obviously everyone were figuring something out and I was not liking not knowing what it was.
“Will someone tell me what the hell you are all talking about?” I demanded.
“Leah....you're an alpha now,” Jake said with a smile.
I froze.
“What?”
“It's true, I noticed it when we talked Leah,” Sam said. “I thought it was just my imagination, but I thought I felt the will of another alpha grinding over mine. It's not as strong as Jake's but still it was there.”
“But that's not possible, I am a girl,” I said.
“Leah, in wolf packs there is an alpha male and an alpha female. You have obviously become an alpha yourself,” Embry said.
“But...but how? I told you guys off and told you to do all kinds of shit before and you never felt a desire to do what I said.”
“Well think about it. Why is it that even though Jake is the true alpha we still had to listen to him? I think in order to be an alpha you have to be off a certain character. Sam was willing to accept the responsibility and was a dominant person.”
“Tell em about it,” I said remembering how dominant he had been in bed.
“Leah, normal wolf packs are all about dominance, the strongest and most dominant are the alphas. The weakest and least dominant is the omega. I think before you had the power, but you lacked the drive because you were so broken over your father and Sam. But once you met Matthew he helped heal you. Just as Jake's love for Bella helped him gain the dominance and confidence he needed to break away from Sam and take his alpha role, so too did your love for Matthew allow you to break off from our pack and become your own alpha. You were already dominant, we can all attest to that.” Embry smiled and the guys snickered. “But you were so full of anger and sorrow you were not in the right mindset to be a leader, but mother hood has awakened that side of you.”
“So what like Jake I could start my own pack?”
“Sure. See your not the destined like Jake so we don't feel your alpha voice as strong as his. You’re at the same level as Sam so you could start your own pack and they would have to obey you like how we must obey Jake or they Sam.”
“You have gotten bigger Leah,” Jake said.
“I have?” I asked.
“I noticed it when we were running together. You seemed to have grown, not as big as me or Sam, but I think since you’re a girl you'll always be smaller than us.”
“Great, so I am an alpha werewolf now. How is that going to help me get Matthew back?”
“Well unless you can find a bunch of wolves willing to follow you, not much.”
A part of me was feeling oddly pleased that I was an alpha. I had always craved independence and freedom. Being an alpha gave me that. But on the other side I was frustrated that my new alpha status couldn't help me get Matthew back.
“So you are all going to go?” Sam asked not looking happy.
“You know I am,” I said.
“I am,” Seth said firmly.
“Me too,” Said Embry.
“Of course me,” Quil said with a goofy smile.
“Hey, I can't let this alpha wolf take my pack from me,” Jake said nudging my shoulder.
“Then I am sorry...but neither I nor any of my pack will help you.”
“I am not going to ask a bunch of kids help me Sam,” I snarled.
“You know what I meant,” he said.
“You need to stay here, if something happens to us then someone needs to protect the tribe, Paul has a kid on the way, and I have to reason to ask Jared, Brady or Collin,” I said.
“I'd like to help, but Kim would worry and I can't risk leaving her alone,” Jared said.
“We'd like to help to Leah, but our parents wouldn't let us go all the way to Italy,” Collin said.
“Yeah, my mom still freaks when I have to patrol,” Brady said.
“Thanks guys, I am happy to know you care. I wouldn't ask something like this of you. Well I am not asking any of you, but I am glad you are saying no. I don't want any of you to get hurt,” I said.
“We have to talk to the elders about this Jake,” Sam said.
“I know. We should do it now,” Jake said.
“We'll go get mom,” Seth said.
“I'll tell my father,” Jake said.
“I'll get grandpa,” Quil said.
We all broke and headed for different destinations. Me and Seth phased and ran for home. I wonder what mom is going to do when we tell her? I hope she can convince Seth to stay.
I don't trust the Volturi. But yet I am still going to fight side by side with them. How do I know they won't try to kill us when we defeat Joham? I don't that's the problem. I can't save Jake and the others, their lives are their own. But maybe mom can do me a favor and get Seth to stay behind.
I could not forgive myself if he died because of me.
As we ran home I thought of Matthew. I hoped to god he was okay. I know it was Joham who pulled him out of the dream. That hand like blister that appeared on Matthew's body had to be him trying to stop him from talking to me. I hope he is okay.
Hold on Matthew, I am coming.

Joham P.O.V
Matthew laid on the couch. He was so still and peaceful it was like he was asleep. I observed him. Every small part of him. Burning him into my memories because after today....he will be dead.
My stomach hurt, and I confess a small part of my heart urged me not to do this. But I had long learned to push aside feelings like that. I made a promise nothing would stop me, and I meant it.
“Are you sure about this?” Stefan asked.
“Yes. It must be done,” I said.
“I have to admit, you are a bigger cold hearted bastard then I thought, I could never do what you are about to do,” Vladimir said.
“Then let’s be thankful for that.” I turned to Peter who stood next to Rosemary. “Take me in. I must have words with him before we continue.”
Peter nodded and placed two fingers on Matthew's head. I walked forward and raised his free hand and placed his fingers on my head like Matthew's and then I was in Matthew's prison.

Matthew P.O.V
It had been over an hour and I was wild with fear, anger and other emotions.
I had continued in vain to try and escape. But neither my strength nor my power could help me. Peter's mental prison was impenetrable.
I was pounding on the wall again screaming in frustration when a voice sounded from behind me.
“That is utterly pointless you know.”
I turned and Saw Joham and Peter standing in front of me. Something was off about Joham's aura. It was tinged with emotions like regret, a small level of doubt, but outshined by conviction and cold steely resolve.
“Joham!”
“I believe you mean father,” he said sternly.
“You are NOT my father,” I growled.
He sighed. “Peter.”
Peter waved his hand and we were no longer in the white room. Now we were in a long seemingly endless white hallway. Paintings big and small covered the walls. The images....the images were of things I had seen. Frozen in a little frame. Pictures of my memories adorned the wall.
“Go, I will call when it is time,” Joham said.
Peter nodded and vanished in a flash.
“Walk with me Matthew,” Joham said.
He turned and began to walk down the hall. He looked at all the pictures that were hanging up, viewing each with a quit but deeply inquisitive look.
I followed him, what else could I do?
“Where are we? What is this?” I asked.
“This is...a manifestation Peter has made to make our final talk easier.”
“Final talk?” I asked a little fearful.
“Do not fear Matthew, I am not going to kill you. At least not in a certain way.”
“Stop speaking in riddles and tell me what you are going to do?” I demanded.
“Matthew...why couldn't you have been more like her? She was so eager to believe in me.”
“You mean my mother? Adora? The woman you murdered?” I said harshly.
“Yes, Adora. I did not like having to let her die Matthew.”
Truth brightened his aura.
“If you didn't enjoy doing it then why do it?” I asked.
“Because if she learned the truth she would turn on me. I could not let her humanity corrupt you.”
“Did you ever love her?” I asked. “What am I saying of course you didn't, she was just another incubator for you to use.”
He looked at me sharply. “You have no idea what I felt for her boy. She was different, I protected her and watched her grow since she was a child.”
“Why? Why her? Why my mother!” I demanded.
“Because, it was what I created her for.”
“What?”
“Years ago, when I was young, I met a vampire who had spent time with the Volturi. He told me they gave him access to their vast library. While he was there he found some research notes by a former member called Eleazar.”
I remember Eleazar, he was the nice man with the eyes that could see deep into you. The one from the Denali coven.
“Eleazar as you may not know was once a member of the Volturi. Aro used him to find humans who showed strong gifts and bring them to him to turn to add to his collection. He also used him to pick vampires from a coven who he thought would benefit the Volturi. During his time working for Aro he realized that the majority of our kind who were gifted and had a relative that was a vampire to also possessed a talent as well.”
“Like sharing the same skin or eyes?” I asked.
“Sort of. Eleazar left before he could finish his notes but I was curious. Humanity was just starting to learn about the science of biology. It was the work of Eleazar and the works of Charles Darwin that inspired me to try and prove this theory. But it was the legends of the Dhampires that put me on this path.”
“Dhampires?” I asked.
“An old European legend of vampires mating with humans and creating offspring from the union. At first I thought it impossible, but then I figured it was worth a try. I know not who it was that sired the first of your kind Matthew, but obviously I am not the first to try this. Although I doubt they had my dreams or ambitions.”
“You mean madness.”
“In another’s point of view I am sure. My first daughter was not powered, but when I had my second child she was gifted. So I decided to manipulate certain bloodlines to help me in my endeavor.”
“But how could you know what bloodlines to manipulate?” I asked.
“It was not easy. I did not have a gift like Eleazar's, but there is a trick to finding out which human is gifted.”
“How?”
“It's in the blood. See humans with gifts have stronger blood then humans that don't. The more potent the power, the stronger the blood. Of course this phenomenon is not related to the sirens. Those humans with blood that call to a specific vampire. So I found humans with the best smelling blood and did everything within my power to make sure they bred with the right people.”
He threw his arms up in the air. “Can you imagine how arduous it was to find these people and manipulate them to procreate? To keep track of dozens of individuals all around the world? But I was determined Matthew. Then I had to wait for the children to grow so they could breed. I had to wait until they finally had children with blood so powerful I could finally attempt it?”
I said nothing, letting him go on.
“My work was hindered even more by that mad German and his insane war. I lost so many of my test subjects to that bloody war. But I was able to save a few samples. I was smart to have them spread all over the world. Seraphina's mother was a Jew I saved from one of Adolf's camps. I birthed Seraphina from her, one of my finest works, along with you.”
Pride colored his aura.
“But your mother, I knew she was more special than the others. Her blood was so tempting. I thought she was my own singer. But many other vampires were drawn to her as well.”
We stopped by a picture. It was of my mother Adora. It was after Joham pulled me from her body. She looked so peaceful and calm, not knowing what was about to happen.
“She drew them in, her scent was so powerful, and she already showed some talent. Sadly it made her life difficult. She was to good at sensing emotions and knowing how people felt. It even made her own mother and father leery of her. I put so much time and effort into protecting her I admit I grew more attached to her then I did the others.”
We stood there looking at my mother’s image.
“What about me? Did you ever love me?” I asked.
He looked at me, and I saw sorrow and regret in both his eyes and aura.
“Yes I love you Matthew. Not just because of your talent, you are my son and I love all my children. But the world needs to change, and great change like this does not come without determination, hard work and sacrifice.”
It made this worse that I knew he was being truthful. I could see it in his aura. He did love me, but he loved his dream of making a super race better.
“But I think that I will be unable to forgive myself for what I am about to do.”
“Joham?” I asked.
“I am sorry Matthew, I wish this could be a simple memory alteration like before. But time and time again you always wind up questioning me, defying me, no matter how many of your memories we alter or erase we always come back to the point where we must do it again. And my planes have reached the crux and I cannot risk all these centuries of work.”
He grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me, his eyes were wild.
“Don't you see? I have gone too far down this path! If I fail now all that work, all those women I killed will have died in vain!”
I have never seen him like this before, he looked like a mad man.
“Joham what are you going to do to me?” I asked.
He let me go and regained some of his composure.
“I am sorry Matthew, this time Rosemary is going to erase your mind completely. All this,” he gestured to the hallway full of pictures. “Will be blank. I suppose you could call it a form of death. You will be like the living dead, a living zombie. You will have no thoughts, no memories or feelings at all. You will be like a machine, cold and heartless, only existing to serve me and my goals.”
I stared at him in horror. “No, please, Joham don't!” I begged.
“I am sorry Matthew. I wish....I wish this didn't have to happen, just know that I do love you and I promise we will all look after you, you will be honored above all my children and you will be the messiah to thousands, to millions. This I promise. Good bye Matthew, I will not dare ask for your forgiveness. Peter!”
Joham disappeared.
“No, Joham! Please! Daddy!” I cried.
Tears fell down my cheeks.
“Please don't kill me.”

Joham P.O.V
My eyes burned, a sign I would be crying if I were still human. I leaned down and wiped the tears that were falling from his closed lids. I kissed him on the head.
“Good bye, my son.”
I stood up and turned to Rosemary. “Do it.”
She stepped forward and placed her hands on Matthew's head. “Forgive me brother,” she whispered.

Matthew P.O.V
I tried calling for Joham but there was no one there.
Then from down the hallway a white light began to shine. I looked at it like a deer looks at the headlights before it is struck. I sensed nothing from that light, true oblivion. It began to shine brighter as it got closer, as it touched the photos they were erased and turned blank.
I could feel them being wiped from my mind, with each photo that was erased so too did I lose a piece to myself. I knew what that light was, it was death, my death. A death worse than death of the body, for this was death of the mind and soul.
I ran. I ran as fast as I could and I did my best to not forget. The hallway seemed endless, I passed thousands and thousands of photos and images, each one a memory. I saw them as I passed. Images of me playing with my sisters, images of me drinking blood, a photo from my first kill, the day I woke up alone and my battle with the Anaconda, finding the tribesman and his son in the forests, images from when I wondered alone for months, meeting Charlie at the dinner, meeting Carlisle at the hospital, meeting the Cullen's and this was when it really began to hurt.
For we were starting to enter my most treasure memories.
All the times I played with Nessie, all the times Rose and Esme groomed and fawned over me. Emmett wrestling with me, Jasper and Edward helping to teach me to hunt mountain lions and deer. Bella reading stories to me and Nessie.
Running in the woods with the Cullen's, hunting deer and bears and mountain lions. Laughing at Emmett as I used my power to make him run from the bears in fear as the rest of us laughed. Running from Emmett when he realized what I had done.
Rose brushing my hair, kissing me on the cheeks and fawning over me. Alice dressing me in new cloth's chasing me around the house. I hated wearing clothes. I liked to wear nothing but shorts. Clothes were to constraining, I needed to feel the wind on my chest. I hated it when Alice got the urge to dress me up so I ran. She could never catch me, her inability to see me made it difficult to catch me.
Esme cooking me a delicious supper. Human food was yucky, but Esme made good food. I would even help her bake cookies. That was fun. She would hum as she worked, it was pretty. She would hug me and kiss me and I would feel so warm. Esme had such a beautiful aura. So full of love, love for me, love for her family, love for the whole world.
Jasper helping me learn to control my power. Jasper and I were both teacher and student. I helped show him new emotions to manipulate. He showed me how to focus my gift, to channel emotions better. People thought Jasper ran cold, but they are wrong. Jasper isn't cold. He is calm, he is focused, and he is very practical. He really loved Alice, he really loved the family. Jasper was just very composed is all, some people confuse that for being cold. But as a warrior he was cold. I sensed that dark part of him. Of all the Cullen's Jasper was closer to his violent side. I both respected him and feared him for that
Edward trying to teach me how to speak right. I could sense the defeat and frustration. He even pinched the bridge of his nose. We had more fun on the piano. I liked the piano. It made beautiful sounds. Some nights the whole family would break out instruments. Violins, guitars, drum sets, all kinds of things. Alice was the best singer in the family. Sometimes the wolves would come over and they would add their voices to the music, sharing their ancient songs. I always thought Leah had the best voice of the wolves.
I told her she sounded like an angel, she would blush and tell me to shut up. But I could see in her aura she liked my compliment.
Carlisle in his study, showing me all the painting he gathered over the year, all the books with pictures. Carlisle had a bright aura like Esme too. Full of pale yellow. Peace, calm, compassion. I liked being around Carlisle, his aura was so soothing. It washed over you like a warm blanket, keeping you warm from the cold. I asked him about God. I asked him about angels and heaven. He told me God has a plane for all of us. I asked him what the plane is, what God's plan is for me, he said I had to find that out myself.
I could never see Bella's power unless she let me, but the effort to take her shield all the way off was more trouble than it was worth. I was always amazed that I could never sense or see her emotions. Jasper said his power worked on her because his power does not work on mental energy like mine. His power affected the chemicals the brain makes. Bella was like Edward. Calm, composed. She loved Edward and Nessie a lot. There were times I saw her holding Nessie and I would feel envy. I was glad they could not see my emotions. I did not want them to see the jade green in my aura.
Bella was nice to me. She liked to watch me and Nessie play. Everyone did, but with Bella I noticed she seemed almost relieved by it. I asked her why. She told me she was happy Nessie could grow up with someone like herself. Another hybrid. Someone to help connect with her in a way neither the Vampires or shape-shifters could.
The Cullen's truly loved me, they were more of a family to me then my own kin. But as I ran past these images and they were claimed by the light they faded from my mind, no matter how hard I tried to hold onto them.
I could no longer remember my own mother's face or her name, I could not remember who the Cullen's were or how I met them.
Who are the Cullen's again?
Faces now, yellow eyes, but I had no idea who these people were, why was I feeling so sad when I began to forget their faces.
Soon I passed past images of Leah and like the ones of those...people...whoever they were, she too began to fade from my mind.
The light grew brighter and no matter how far I ran I could not outrun it. I could feel myself slowly fading, slowly turning into nothing.
Images now of when I lived with Leah and Fred. Images of first meeting Fred, Fred returning to us with new golden eyes, Fred teaching me school stuff and having man talks with me and hunting with me. Watching sports and other shows with him on TV.
Fred and me hunting to see who could catch the biggest catch. Fred and me playing hide and seek. Fred teaching my how to stay hidden, how to track with nothing but my sense of smell.
Looking at Fred and thinking I want to be like him when I grow up. Tall, strong, powerful, smart.
Even Nahuel, the brother I never knew bled from my mind. The nervousness I felt when I first met him. The pure delight when I learned I had a big brother. That day at the creek when we all went swimming and I saw dark pink between him and Leah. Thinking how cool it would be if they were together. Even his nice aunt who I sensed was so happy Nahuel and me were together. She loved her nephew and was happy he had another family member to connect with.
Soon I forgot Fred and Nahuel whoever they are. Like I am forgetting so much? Why am I running? What am I running from? What is this light? Why do I feel so hollow and empty now? Am I dying? Is this what death is like, the loss of your will and individuality?
Am I even an individual? Do I even have a will?
Images of Leah so many images of her, so many memories. It was these images that kept me running, that kept me going. Finally I arrived at the end of a hallway where the strongest and most powerful memory/image was.
Leah.
It was the largest photo, I held onto it for dear life. Leah...all I know now. She is so important to me....Leah, don't leave me, I don't want to be alone, not again.....Leah?
Leah...
I....
It is so hard to focus now. Why am I running again? Who am I Leah? Leah where are....you...I am so....scared.
I run my fingers over Leah's eyes, she has such pretty brown eyes.
Leah, where is this light coming from, it….so bright...why....why...why can't I remember anything....but you....you...Leah....help...scared now so....scared.....me....me not want....die.
“Leah,” I whisper.
The light is so bright.
Leah....wha...please...let me...see....her again...Leah, who will...save you from loneliness now? Why....lonely? Leah...where is...this....light....bright.
I...not...know...I....am....wh.....am....Leah.....scared....Leah
Leah...you fading...leaving me...Leah....no...leave....I....Leah.
So...empty....so...cold.
Am.....this.........being..........death?........death.................no................not......................Leah...................Leah..... ...........Leah........ ......................... .......Le................ ........ah........................ah....................Le...............wha.............. .........is.......... ..........Leah?
Le............. ....ah........... ..........I...... ........lo... .. .......ve.... ...........u..... .......sa......... ............ve...... ...........me... ..Leah?

Joham P.O.V
Rosemary pulled her hands off his head, tears ran down her face like a river. “It is done,' she whispered.
She fled the room and I did not stop her. Peter followed her, trying his best to console her but I know she cannot ever be consoled. She just killed her brother. The slaying of one's kin, one of the blackest sin's in the world.
A sin, I will carry for the rest of my eternal life.

Leah P.O.V
We had assembled the elders and had just told them everything.
Much to my annoyance mom was not stopping Seth from going. Unlike Billy who was trying his best to convince Jake to not go. I stood next to mom and a smug Seth.
“Leah, don't pout,” mom said.
“I am not pouting,” I said.
“Yes you are. I know you don't want Seth to go, I don't either, but Seth is his own person now. I can't keep him from going, besides I feel better knowing you will be together to protect each other.” she wrapped her arm around my shoulder. “My daughter an alpha wolf, I should not be surprised, we come from a long line of alpha women.”
I smiled at her. I was happy she was proud of my new alpha status.
Then it hit me. This horrible, cold feeling wrapped around my stomach. I clutched my gut and grunted in pain.
“Leah?” mom asked concerned.
The pain intensified and I fell to my knees.
“Leah!” Seth said.
Everyone gathered around me. Jake knelled in front of me and grabbed my face in his hands. “Leah what’s wrong?”
I could not explain it. This cold dead feeling that had seeped from my belly all the way to my heart. This feeling of....loss. A feeling I only felt once when dad died.
I don't know how I knew it, but I just knew.
“Something has happened.....something has happened to Matthew.”

Fusedtwilight: Next chapter the Cullen's come up with a very crazy plane. Please review.
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Focused Madness